In The Community

Jade Domos, who recently completed seventh grade at Harmon School, qualified for the finals of Voice Star Cleveland, a local youth singing competition.

She found out about the competition from her voice coach, who she had been taking lessons from for a year. She had been singing long before she started to hone in on her craft with lessons.

"She just sang no matter what she did," said Jade's mother Gwen Domos. "Sitting on the couch, playing a video game, no matter what she did she just sang."

For the competition, which took place in Lyndhurst, Domos sang the songs "What It Means To Be a Friend" from the musical "13" and "Let It Go" from the Disney movie "Frozen."

Domos advanced to the finals on May 11, her 13th birthday, but was unable to perform due to illness. "I'm so proud of her," said Gwen.

Nature hike June 29

Local naturalist Jeff Riebe will lead a hike along babbling brooks and trickling streams June 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Moebius Nature Center on East Mennonite Road. Participants should dress appropriately for getting wet. They shouldn't wear Crocs, sandals or flip-flops. Register at www.myMNC.org.

Planning panel meets

The city's planning commission will meet tonight (June 18) at 7 in Town Hall. On the agenda are wetland setback variances for Phase 5B in Barrington Estates, a preliminary plan for Phase 5B, a lot split for TX Four Holdings LLC on Bartlett Road and renewal of a conditional zoning certificate for in-home child care services for Tim Miller / Tessa Grubb at 952 S. Chillicothe Road.

Circus coming to town

with new big top tent

Evan Webster, grand master of W.K. Ricksecker Masonic Lodge 606 in Aurora, has announced that he has been advised by Jim Royal, manager of the Kelly Miller Circus, that this year's July 20 Aurora show will have new features.

The circus has just taken delivery on a new 120-by-120-foot European big top with blue exterior and red stars trimmed in white at the four main poles and cupola. The interior of the tent is blue, which enhances the colorful lighting of the show.

Among the foreign acts added to this year's program are first-time in America Mongolian contortionists and world-class juggler Nicolas Souren from France.

This will be the fourth consecutive year that the circus has entertained Aurorans, and it is celebrating its 76th anniversary. Two performances will be July 20 at 2 and 5 p.m.

Families can turn out early in the morning to watch the big top go up and see the animals up close.

The circus still features elephants, zebras, llamas, dogs, camels, clowns, aerialists, the North Starlets in a can-can number and the human volcano Lamount and spectacular pyrotenchnics.

Presale Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Day of show, the tickets cost $15 and $7, respectively. Presale ticket sales start July 1 at

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin administered the oath of office to Police Sgt. Mark Croy and Police Officer David DiCicco on June 10 in Council Chambers at Town Hall.

Croy, who has been a member of Aurora's police force since 2001, was recently promoted to sergeant. He was born in Bedford and reared in Monroe Falls. He graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and from the University of Akron Police Academy.

Prior to coming to Aurora, he worked at the Portage and Summit counties sheriff's and Macedonia police departments.

DiCicco is from Twinsburg, attended Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University, and graduated from the University of Akron Police Academy in 2009. He recently was a full-time officer with the Chester Township Police Department.

Board OKs a variance

for a new pool house

Shawn McNamara received the OK from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals on June 11 to construct a pool house on his property at 179 Greentree Circle.

A variance was needed because it was the third accessory structure on the property. McNamara told board members he will store pool equipment and have a changing area with a bathroom in the building. Members felt the building would not be a burden in the neighborhood since it would be on a large piece of property.

City Law Director Dean DePiero told the board Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin has requested that it not take action on the issue of notifications being sent out to nearby homeowners when a variance is sought.

She believes the recent mixed-use zoning district approval in the Geauga Lake area will bring new applications, and the notification process should not be changed at this time.

Chairman Terese Fennell and the other members at the meeting agreed they would prefer to wait for a proposal from City Council and the mayor once a revised notification proposal has been determined.

CHIP money available

The city of Aurora offers a Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) to residents who meet criteria.

CHIP is a city-wide program to assist primarily low to moderate income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes.

Homeowners can receive grants and loans of up to $10,000 for repairs and $40,000 for a rehabilitation. A home rehabilitation addresses all health, safety, energy deficiencies and accessibility issues throughout the entire home

A home repair is for one or two large items. To qualify for this program, the homeowner must be at or below 80 percent of the area's median income as established by HUD, they must occupy the home, and be current on their property taxes and homeowner's insurance.

The program is administered by Neighborhood Development Services Inc. in Ravenna.

Any resident interested in this program should contact NDS by calling 330-297-6400 or visiting www.ndsohio.org.

Here's library hours

Aurora residents are reminded that regular hours at Aurora Memorial Library are as follows: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The library is closed on Thursdays and Sundays. For library info, call 330-562-6502.

Swizzle Sticks to play

The Swizzle Stick Band will perform at Aurora's next summer concert June 25 at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park gazebo on East Garfield Road. It plays Motown and oldies. Sponsor of the concert is State Farm agent Greg Rodi.